PREFACE.

THE thought of printing these lectures (the first six of a short course read in Columbia College) was originally entertained in consequence of a difficulty alluded to in the beginning of the fourth, which made it necessary for the lecturer to aid his instruction on the subjects treated in that and the two following lectures, by written examples and illustrations exhibited before his class. But various considerations interfered to prevent this publication hitherto; and now the motive above specified has no longer, as regards the author personally, any weight; yet having observed that the more zealous among those he taught, derived advantage from these lectures, he is not without the hope that for others also, engaged in like studies, they may possess some interest.

The first, or introductory lecture is published for reasons that will be obvious to all who read it the second, and third, not only that they may, being of a more popular character, invite readers of a different class from those for whom the last three are designed; but also to give a sort of completeness to this little work, which without them it might want.

Throughout the second lecture the author has been much indebted to Schoell's Histoire de la Littérature Grecque Profane, and this general acknowledgment is made because there, as elsewhere, the sources whence he draws, and the authorities on which he has relied, are seldom pointed out. He would to little purpose, have crowded his pages with a vain parade of notes, not wanted by those readers who possess the means of verifying them, and a mockery, as it were, of others, that is of far the greater number, as referring them to books, which, in this country, they would in most cases vainly seek to find. portion of the sixth lecture is derived from "Remarks on the Pronunciation of the Greek Language," a small pamphlet published by the author seventeen years ago, and not now in print.

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COL. COLL, July, 1835.

LECTURE I.

INTRODUCTORY.

ON THE STUDY OF GREEK.

ABOUT to speak of the value of Grecian Literature, considered in itself, or compared with that of modern times; and of the relative importance of classical and scientific studies; I am sensible that I undertake no easy task. The difficulty of treating worthily a subject increases together with its importance, and in proportion too as a theme has become trite from frequent handling, it will be easy, indeed, to speak concerning it, but hard to say any thing that shall be new.

Yet those who plead the cause of classical studies should not be deterred from asserting their just claims, by the apprehension of dwelling on a hackneyed topic. The undeserved neglect of these studies is no new complaint, because the

sources whence it flows, and which may easily be pointed out, have long existed. And since the same causes are, as we shall see, ever exerting a powerful influence, it is incumbent on the friends of sound learning to be equally unceasing in their endeavors to prevent the threatened disunion of Letters from Science; and that undue preference which the latter is seeking to usurp.

There are, indeed, some points of view from which this subject has been less examined, and which, belonging as they do more especially to our own country and to the state of society among ourselves, may possess for us a greater interest, as well as some share of novelty. To these features of it I shall hereafter call your notice. For the present my intention is to point out the natural connexion that subsists between science and letters, and attempt a vindication of those literary pursuits, which seem to be every where falling into comparative neglect.

And here let me premise, that, disregarding just now more accurate distinctions, I would by the term science be understood to mean physica science, or a knowledge of the material world. and of the secondary laws which govern it; and that by letters I intend studies which have no immediate reference to matter; such, for example, as grammar and criticism, poetry and eloquence,

civil history, the philosophy of mind, and especially the language and literature of ancient Greece; as well for that it is most perfect in its kind, as because it seems, nevertheless, at the present day to require all the support and countenance which its friends can give.

Against these "studies of inglorious ease," there has existed from the earliest time a certain prejudice, which has assumed various shapes, and animated different controversies, in successive periods of the world.

We find it amongst the ancient Greeks exciting a rivalry between music and gymnastics; under which two heads was comprehended all that belonged to a perfect education, or one in which both mind and body had received due cultureMusic including whatever fell under the superintendence of the Muses: all the exercise and discipline of mind; Gymnastics training the body to activity and strength. Now we find there were among the Greeks themselves some of uncultivated minds disposed to give the active life an almost exclusive preference; and using nearly the same arguments that are employed in our day to decry studies of which the practical results are not at once perceived. That afterwards, among the Romans, a far less intellectual and polished people, Cicero should have found it necessary to